Enlarging easel



F. MOORE Nav. 26, 1940.

ENLARGING EASEL Filed July 27, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l A/ud NOV. 26, 1940. F MOORE 2,223,264

` ENLARGING EASEL l Filed July 27, '1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 26,1940

ENmnGmG msm.

Francis Moore, Chicago, Ill., asignar to Albert Specialty Company, C

a composed of Stanley Flelcll and Harold Fluch Application July 27, 1939, Serll N0. 286,764

4 Claims. (Cl. 88-24) This invention relates to means for making photographic enlargements, and has to do with an enlarging easel.

My invention is directed to an enlarging easel of such character that, when used for making photographic enlargements, the easel need not have its position changed when the size of an enlargement to be made is different than that of a previously made enlargement. To that end,

l0 means isprovided whereby the area of the sensitized paper, upon the easel, which is to receive the photographic enlargement,.may be varied to any desired extent, within limits, while maintaining the central point of the area so exposed in the focal axis of the projector used in projecting onto the paper the image to be reproduced. More specically, I provide two pairs of masking strips, the strips of one pair intersecting the strips of the other pair, and the strips of each pair being adjustable toward and away from each other for varying the exposed area of the sensitized paper in the manner stated. I also provide means for properly positioning upon the easel the sheets of sensitized paper in proper relation to the masking strips and in accordance with the various sizes of enlargements to be produced.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the detail description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an end view of an enlarging easel embodying my invention, positioned for use with a projector, the latter and the associated base and supporting means therefor being shown more or less diagrammatically;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the easel, with a sheet of sensitized paper positioned thereon;

Figure 3 is an end view of the easel, with the cover structure thereof in full raised or open position and broken away;

Figure 4 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 2, certain parts being shown `in elevation;

Figure 5 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 45 2; and

Figure 6 is a. sectional View, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 6 6 of Figure 4.

The base structure of the easel may be of any suitable construction. I have shown it, by way of example, as comprising a wooden base frame III, in the underface of which are set ribbed rubber strips II extending lengthwise of frame II), adjacent each side thereof, and transversely of the frame adjacent each end thereof, these rubber strips providing friction members serving to prevent slippage of the easel upon the supporting surface therefor. A top plate I2, which may be formed of composition such as indurated fiber or other suitable material, is secured upon the upper face of frame I0, lby means of an adhesive 6 or in any other suitable manner, and extends from the forward edge of base frame I0 for the major portion of the width thereof. Three strips I3, I4, and I5, conveniently formed of the same material as plate I2, are secured to the upper face 1o of frame I0 in parallel relation to the inner edge of plate I2, from which the strip I3 is spaced so as t`o define therewith an upwardly opening groove I6 extending from one end of frame I0 to the other end thereof, strips I4 and I5 being 15 spaced apart and defining between them grooves I1 and I6 similar to groove I6.

The grooves I6, Il and I8 receive retaining members I9, 20, and 2l, respectively, which extend from the right hand end of the base struc- 20 ture, as viewed in Figure 2, these retaining members being of channel cross-section and conveniently formed of sheet metal. Each of the retaining members is secured in its associated groove in any suitable manner, as by means of brads 25 22. The retaining members are of similar construction, and a description of one thereof will suiilce. Referring to Figures 2 and 4, retaining member 20 comprises a lower flange 23 seating upon frame I0 at the bottom of groove I1, and 30 corresponding in width to the groove, a bight portion 24 extending upward at the inner edge of strip I4, and a top flange 25 extending from the upper edge of bight portion 24 toward strip I3 but terminating short thereof, defining with 35 the outer edge of the latter strip a slot 26. Retaining member 20 is further provided, at its inner end, with an upwardly extending stop element 21 extending the full width of groove Il, the upper edge of element 21 being iiush with 40 the upper face of flange 25, which is substantially ilush with the upper face of strip I4, it being noted that the upper face of the latter strip is disposed in a common plane with the upper faces of strips I3 and I5 and of plate I2. Referring 45 to Figure 2 it will be noted that retaining member 20 is of greater length than retaining member I9, and retaining member 2I is of greater length than retaining member 20. The retaining members referred to are adapted to receive the edge 50 portions of sheets of sensitized paper, of diierent sizes, and to position such sheets properly upon the base structure, as will be explained more fully presently.

vMeans is provided for deflning upon the sheet 55 of sensitized paper, mounted upon the base structure, an area or ileld for reception of the enlargement to be produced, such means being adjustable for varying the extent of the image receiving area as desired, within limits. Conveniently, the means for defining the field or area is carried by a cover structure associated with the base structure and positionable thereon in predetermined relation thereto. The cover structure comprises a rectangular top frame 30, conveniently formed of strap metal with the side and end members thereof disposed fiatwise, and a depending lower frame 3| of rectangular shape and also formed of strap metal, with the side and end members disposed on edge or vertically. Corner plates 32 are welded on top frame 30, at the corners thereof, and each plate is provided with a depending angle bracket 33 extending about and welded to the end portions of the side and end members of frame 3|. The latter frame is thus supported in spaced relation to top frame 30 and defines therewith side and end guide slots 34 and 35, respectively. The dimensions of the top frame 30 are such that the side and end members thereof overlie the peripheral portions of the base structure, when the cover structure is positioned thereon, as will be clear from Figures 4 and 5, and the dimensions of the frame 3| are such that it extends about the sides and ends of the base structure, in spaced relation thereto, when the cover structure is positioned properly upon the base structure, as will also be clear from Figures 4 and 5.

The end guide slots 35 receive two masking strips 38 of elongated rectangular shape and conveniently formed of steel suitably treated so as to be black in color, or substantially so. The strips 38 extend the full length of the cover structure, with their end portions slidable in the slots 35, for relative adjustment of these strips toward and away from each other. The strips 38 project a short distance outward beyond top frame 30, at one end thereof, such projecting portions 0f the strips being each disposed between a clamping plate 39 and a flange 40, the latter extending from the upper end of the outer arm of a slide member 4| of channel cross-section fitting about and slidable upon end member 3|a of frame 3|. Two hexagonal knobs 42 are associated with each of the slide members 4|, each of these knobs being provided with a reduced screw stud 43 which passes through plate 39 and strip 38 and threads into flange 40. The knobs 42 thus cooperate with plate 39 and flange 4l! for clamping the projecting end portion of strip 38 to slide 4| for movement therewith, while also providing convenient means for adjusting the slide member. The latter is provided, in its outer arm, with an inner lengthwise groove in which is secured a bowed leaf spring 44, by means of a rivet 45, shown more clearly in Figure 6, the end Portions of this spring pressing against the outer face of frame member 3|a, so as to urge the slide member 4| outward and prevent any objectionable looseness between this member and the frame member 3|a. Each of the clamping plates 39 is provided, adjacent its inner edge, with a notch providing an indicator point 48. 'I'he slide members 4| cooperate with a scale strip 49 suitably secured on the upper face of end member 5|) of top frame 30, disposed immediately above the lower frame member 3 la. Strip 49 is provided with equal graduations similarly numbered in opposite directions from a central zero mark. as shown in Figure 2. It will be clear that when the index points 48 of the slide members 4| are disposed equal distances along strip 49 from the zero mark, a line passing through the latter mark, parallel to the strips 33, will be spaced equidistant therefrom.

Two masking strips 5|, similar to strips 3l, extend transversely of the cover structure and are adjustable lengthwise thereof toward and away from each other in the side or front and back guide slots 34, between the top frame 30 and the lower frame 3| of the cover structure. Each of the strips 5| projects a short distance forward beyond top frame 3|), and is clamped to a slide member 4|. slidable along front member 3Ib of frame 3|, in the same manner in which the strips 38 are clamped to the slide members /movable along the end frame member 3|a. A scale strip 52 is secured upon the upper face of front member 53 of top frame 30 and is provided with graduations numbered in opposite directions from a central zero mark, in the same manner as the scale strip 49. It will be obvious that with the index points 48 associated with strips 5| set at equal distances on opposite sides of the zero mark of the scale strip 52, a line passing through the zero mark of scale strip 52 parallel to strips 5| will be spaced equidistant therefrom and will intersect the line, previously referred to, passing through the zero mark of the scale strip 49.

It is desirable that means be provided for positioning the cover structure upon the base structure conveniently and in accurate predetermined relation thereto. To that end, back member 3|c of the depending frame 3| of the cover structure is connected by hinges 55 to the base frame I0, the lower leaves of these hinges extending into suitable recesses, one of which is shown at 56 in Figure 4, in the base frame I9, to which this leaf is secured in a suitable manner, as by means of screws 51. 'I'he other or upper leaf of spring 55 is welded to frame member llc. By thus hingedly connecting the cover structure to the base structure, it may readily be accurately positioned upon the latter and moved upward therefrom, as required.

Preferably, I provide releasable means for holding the cover structure in open position. Referring to Figure 3, a slotted plate 58 is secured, as by means of screws 59, to one end of the base frame I0. 'I'his plate is provided with two upwardly opening notches 80 and 8|, opening into slot 62. A brace 63 is pivotally mounted, at its upper end, to the other end member 3|d of frame 3|, at the inner face thereof, by means oi a shouldered pin S4. At its lower end brace 53 is provided with an inwardly projecting pin 85 extending through slot 52, the adjacent end of frame I0 being recessed at 66 (Figure 5), t0 accommodate pin 35, the latter being selectively engageable in notches 50 and 8| A torsion spring 61 is mounted about the outer portion of pin i4,

vconfined ybetween the head thereof and the outer face of end frame member 3|d. One arm of this spring engages about end member 3|d and the other arm of the spring engages about the lower edge of brace 63, urging the latter upward and forward. In order to hold the cover structure raised, brace member 63 is moved downward against the tension of spring 51, so as to engage the pin 65 in either of the notches 60 or 3|, the cover structure being then released and the weight thereof suilicing t0 maintain pin 55 in the selected notch. In order to release the cover structure for downward movement thereof, it is only necessary to move it rearward a short distance, suillciently to permit brace 63 to be raised by spring 61, so as to disengage the pin from the notch, after which the cover structure may be lowered into position upon the base structure. 'I'hat is advantageous since it renders possible releasing and lowering of the cover structure with but one hand, it frequently being desirable that the other hand be used for holding the sheet of sensitized paper nat upon the base structure, so as to prevent curling thereof, until the cover structure has`been moved to within a short distance of its fully closed or lowered position.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that the strips 38 overlie the strips 5I, the lengths of the two pairs of strips between the superposed or intersecting portions thereof defining a rectangular eld or area. The extent of the area thus defined will depend upon the size of the desired enlargement and the desired width of the border therefor. 'I'he sizes of the sensitized paper used for making such enlargements are different, according to the size of the enlargement to be produced. In Figure 2, it has been assumed that it is desired to produce an enlargement x 'l inches. It is also assumed that it is desired to provide the enlargement with a border onequarter of an inch in width. 'I'he numbered graduations on the scale strips 49 and 52 represent one half inches, the unnumbered graduations representing one-quarter inches. In order to produce the desired enlargement, a sheet of sensitized paper p 8 x 10 inches may be used. In placing this sheet upon the base structure, the rearward edge portion thereof is inserted into the retaining member 20, beneath ange 25 thereof, and in contact with bight portion 24 of the retaining member, the left hand edge of this sheet, as viewed in Figure 2, being in contact with stop element 21 of retaining member 20. With the cover structure in raised position, strips 38 are adjusted so that the index points 48 thereof, which coincide with the inner edges of these strips, are disposed at opposite sides of the zero mark of the scale stri-p 49 and midway between graduations 5 and 6 thereof, and strips 5| are adjusted with the index points 48 thereof at opposite sides of the zero mark of scale strip 52 and midway between graduations 1 and 8 thereof. The masking strips, when thus adjusted, dene a rectangular field or area 5% inches wide and '7l/2 inches long, the central point a of which is the point of intersection of two lines drawn from the zero marks of the scale strips 49 and 52 perpendicular to each other. The sheet is held in position on the base structure by the masking strips engaging the margin around the border. Referring now to Figure 1, I have shown an enlarging easel embodying my invention as placed upon a base board b, from which extends a standard s yupon which is adjustably mounted an arm A carrying a projector P disposed above the easel, the focal axis of the projector being indicated by the dot and dash lines a1. The easel is positioned upon base board b so that point a of the sensitized sheet of paper p is in the focal axis a1 of the projector P. In order to assure proper positioning of the easel upon base board b, the latter may be provided with two stop' strips disposed at right angles to each other, one of which strips is shown at e as disposed to contact the back of the easel, the other strip (not shown) being disposed to contact one end of the easel.

After the easel has been positioned upon base board b, the projector P, if not already properly positioned, may be adjusted so that the image projected onto the sensitized paper p will be of the desired dimensions, assumed to be 5 x 7 inches. the outline of the image projected upon the paper p being indicated by the line i in Figure" 2. The space between the outline i of the image and the inner edges of the masking strips provides a margin m of the desired width of onequarter of an inch about the image. After the image has been projected onto the sensitized paper 'for a proper length of time, this paper D is removed from the easel, by raising the cover structure, and is subjected to proper treatment well known in the art. The method of making photographic enlargements by projecting an image onto a sheet of sensitized material is well known in the photographic art and need not be described here in greater detail.

If it is desired to produce an enlargement less than 5 x 7 inches, the innermost and shortest retaining member I9 may be utilized for receiving an edge portion of the sensitized sheet of paper, which, of course, may be smaller than the sheet utilized for producing an enlargement 5x 7 inches. When producing an enlargement larger than 5 x 7 inches, the outermost and longest retaining member 2I may be utilized. In each case, the masking strips 38 and 5I are properly adjusted equidistant from the zero marks of the scale strips 49 and 52 to define a ileld or area providing a border or margin of the desired width about the enlargement having the desired dimensions. It will be noted that in all cases the central point a of the sensitized sheet of paper i) remains fixed. That avoids any necessity for changing the position of the easel upon the base board b when it is desired .to make an enlargement having diierent dimensions than an enlargement previously made, which is conducive to expedition and facility, as well as accuracy. in the making of photographic enlargements. When the cover structure is inlowered or closed position, the weight thereof, in large measure, is supported by the masking strips, of which strips 5I rest upon the sensitized sheet of paper and serve effectively to hold it accurately in position. When the cover structure is raised, the masking strips'may readily be adjusted into desired positions, as will be evident.

Changes in construction and arrangement of parts of my invention may be resorted to, without departing from the field and scope thereof, and I intend to include all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims, in this application, in which the preferred form only of my invention has been disclosed.

I claim:

1. In an enlarging easel, a substantially rectangular base structure, a substantially rectangular cover structure comprising an open top frame and a lower rectangular frame defining between them side and end guide slots, a pair of masking strips extending transversely of said cover structure adjustable lengthwise thereof toward and away from each other in the side guide slots, and a second pair of masking strips extending lengthwise of said cover structure adjustable transversely thereof toward and away from each other in the end guide slots, the strips of one pair intersecting the strips of the other pair and said cover structure being positionable lover said base structure with said top frame overlying the K.peripheral portions of said base structure and said lower frame extending about the sides and ends of said base structure, guide means on all of said strips slidable along said lower frame for guiding said strips along said lower frame, and spring means reacting between said guide means and said lower frame.

2. In an enlarging easel, a substantially rectangular base structure adapted for positioning thereon rectangular sheets of sensitized material of diierent dimensions, said base structure being provided with a plurality of grooves along one side and extending lengthwise thereof, said grooves each having adjacent its top a retaining member spaced from the inner edge of the groove and provided with a stop element, the respective grooves adapted for the reception of various sizes of said sheets of sensitized material therein and under said retaining members for retaining said sheets against movement in one direction, and against said stop members for retaining said sheets against movement in another direction, said sheets when in said grooves being centrally positioned on said base structure, and an open top frame for clamping said sheets o! sensitized material in position on said base structure.

-3. In an enlarging easel, a substantially rectangular base structure adapted for positioning vthereon rectangular sheets of sensitized material of diierent dimensions, said base structure being provided with a plurality of grooves parallel to one side thereof, said grooves each having adjacent its top a retaining member spaced from the inner edge of the groove and provided with a stop element, the respective grooves adapted for the reception of various sizes of said sheets of sensitized material therein and under said retaining members for retaining said sheets against movement in one direction, and against said stop members for retaining said sheets against movement in another direction, said stop elements varying in distances fromone end of said base structure from an innermost position in the innermost groove to an outermost position in the outermost groove whereby various sizes of sheets may be centrally positioned with respect to said base structure, and an open top frame for clamping said sheets of sensitized material in position on said base structure.

4. In an enlarging easel, a substantially rectangular base structure adapted for positioning thereon rectangular sheets of sensitized material of ditl'erent dimensions, said base structure being provided with a plurality of grooves along one side and extending lengthwise thereof, said grooves each having adjacent its top a retaining member spaced from the inner edge of the groove and provided with a stop element, the respective grooves adapted for the reception of various sizes of said sheets of sensitized material therein and under said retaining members for retaining said sheets against movement in one direction, and against said stop members for retaining said sheets against movement in another direction, said sheets when in said grooves being centrally positioned on said base structure, a pair of masking strips extending lengthwise of said base structure and adjustable transversely toward and away from each other, and a second pair of masking strips extending transversely of said base structure and adjustable lengthwise toward and away from each other, said pairs of masking strips adapted to engage the margins of said sheets of sensitized material for clamping the sheets in position on said base structure.

' FRANCIS MOORE. 

